A recent study by Bupa health insurance has revealed that nearly three-quarters of parents delay addressing their own health problems to prioritise their children’s needs, often resulting in serious health consequences.
The research found that 73 per cent of parents put aside their personal aches and pains due to the busy demands of family life. One poignant example is 46-year-old Sarah Lewis from Solihull, who suffered a significant decline in health after postponing a medical consultation while balancing her role as a mother and a management accountant.
Sarah began experiencing symptoms in early 2021, including occasional difficulty swallowing, problems with typing, intermittent pins and needles in her face, chest, and left side, as well as general weakness and fatigue. Nevertheless, she attributed these signs to non-medical causes such as eating too quickly, inadequate rest, extended periods of sitting, and low iron levels.
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Despite the ongoing symptoms, Sarah prioritised her children, Lily (18) and Henry (11), attending school events and ensuring availability during their illnesses. It was only in May 2023, when her condition worsened to severe migraines and impaired mobility, that she sought medical attention.
After an urgent referral to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, Sarah underwent extensive tests and was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition affecting how the brain processes signals to the body. Since then, she has become reliant on a wheelchair and requires her mother’s care at home.
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah said: “I didn’t realise what was happening at the time - the symptoms were small and isolated. Balancing work and parenting felt like running downhill with momentum, and I kept dismissing how I felt. As a working parent, you put yourself last because there’s always something else demanding attention.”
She also recounted how even as her symptoms intensified in April 2023, she continued to downplay them amid personal stresses, including the recent loss of her mother-in-law.
Medical professionals initially considered severe neurological events such as stroke or brain tumour before confirming her diagnosis of FND. The condition also affects her memory, speech, and swallowing.
Dr Naveen Puri, medical director at Bupa Insurance, emphasised the importance of parents caring for their own health: “Parents often juggle numerous responsibilities, but it is crucial they do not neglect their own wellbeing. Ignoring symptoms or delaying medical care can lead to serious consequences. Prioritising personal health enables parents to remain well and effectively support their families.”